The Problem with Poem 37

While Catullus is one of the best known Latin writers there are many aspects of this poetry that are misunderstood and over analyzed. These aspects of his writings have been studied by classical scholars and while there can be no definite answer many try to find the truth. But when can the truth be determined and how are these things discovered. Because his writings are open for interpretation there can never really be a true answer to their meanings. But in poem 37 there is an obvious theme that runs throughout. Catullus wrote poem 37 as a comic poem intended to sting his enemies but to also be enjoyed by the masses.
When Catullus wrote he would often use sarcasm and innuendo to make his point. And in poem 37 Catullus uses his comic wit to knock down the competition, “Salax taberna uosque contubernales”. These friends hang around the tavern and do nothing but ogle women. One of those women was Lesbia and in response to the trouble Catullus reacts not with anger but comic wit. Catullus states his relationship with Lesbia, “puella nam mi”, and has a little fun at the expense of their egos.
While Catullus has plenty of wit and sarcasm, sometimes there’s nothing like an old fashioned insult. And Catullus never backs down from a chance for some creative name calling. “confutuere et putare ceteros hircos”. Catullus puts the brothers in their place but uses humor instead of rage. Catullus also threatens the men with a very creative punishment if they do not leave his beloved alone. “frontem tabernae sopionibus scribam”. But are these insults an act of hatred? They seem too outlandish to have any stake in reality. Which means that their roots lie in comedic responses. Catullus is writing a comedic short poem, not a spiteful retort.
The one aspect of “Barflies” which would seem to indicate an insult poem is the range and degree to which he uses them and has used insults in the past. There are plenty of Catullus’ insult poetry throughout his works and some of these are based on the other men Lesbia is involved with. But it is hard to believe that Catullus meant poem 37 to be strictly an insult poem. Sure the poem is riddled with name calling but the way it is put so eloquently indicates that Catullus was trying to be humorous, not just mean. “dens Hibera defricatus urina”. “omnes pusilli et semitarii moechi”. Catullus was a creative person, and it is shown well here in his insult comedy.
Catullus was a very complicated man. He had a lover who most likely was just amused by him, and many enemies throughout the writing community. But Catullus did know how to be funny and he knew what made people laugh. He drew upon the people’s love of insults and their appreciation for verbal beatings and used it for his own profit. His poem “Barflies” is a good example of how Catullus appealed to the Romans of his day. He saw an opportunity to cut down a few guys that he knew and made it into a literary masterpiece. Perhaps the seven brothers never even existed and he just wrote the poem for some laughs. Whatever the inspiration, poem 37 illustrates the power of vulgar comedy when in the hands of a master insulter.